Campus Tours

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Campus Tour and Information Session

These tours are led by student ambassadors. Every tour begins with an information session from an Admission Counselor and ends with a Q&A session. Registration is required. Each visiting student may register up to three guests. The campus visit starts inside of the Admission Office at Hopson Cottage. Your tour begins with a short information session and ends with a Q&A. Campus visits usually last about 75 minutes. 

Please bring a mask with you to this event. You might be asked to wear it at specific points on the tour. You do not need to wear your mask to enter the admission building when you arrive. In advance of your visit to Bard College, we ask that you kindly monitor your current health. In the event you are not feeling well, we ask that you remain at home and reschedule your visit for another time. If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been in close contact with a person with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 in the past 5–10 days, please also remain home.

After your tour, we invite you to explore the northernmost sites on campus in your car, as they are not easily walkable from Admission. You can explore these sites by following the audio-guided driving tour. The QR code for this tour is on the kiosk in front of Admission.

Register for a Campus Tour

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Self-Guided Walking Tour

The self-guided walking tour offers students and their families the chance to see the central hub of campus on foot since parts of central campus are not accessible to visitor vehicles. This tour route includes most of the main campus buildings that are within a 15-minute walk from the Office of Admission. Visitors can pick up a printed walking-tour brochure at the red kiosk in front of the Admission Office. Visitors must register for the walking tour upon arrival using the QR code which is printed on the brochure and also on a sign at this location. These tours are not scheduled, so students and their families are welcome to walk around campus at a time that works best for their schedule. 

We strongly suggest that families pair the walking tour with the audio-guided driving tour, which allows visitors to see a full loop of campus, including the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, The Hessel Museum, Music and Film Program buildings and Blithewood Manor, home to the Levy Economics Institute which also has a beautiful view of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.

There is NO access to any campus buildings. You do not have to wear a mask outside, but all visitors must bring a mask with them in case they are invited to wear one while on campus.

Weekdays during business hours only:  Admission Counselors are available to speak with visitors and answer questions. Visitors may also use the bathroom facilities in the Admission Office foyer. Please ring the doorbell for access to the bathroom facilities or to be greeted by an Admission Counselor. You must wear a mask in the Admission Office.

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Audio-Guided Driving Tour

The driving tour is audio guided. Visitors may drive around campus in their own vehicle following the directions and information provided in the audio guide, which is accessed through a QR code. The QR code, along with easy instructions on scanning the QR with your phone, are posted on the red kiosk outside the Admission Office. The audio guide recording starts with an information session by the Director of Admission. These tours are not scheduled, so students and their families are welcome to drive on and around campus at a time that works best for their schedule. 

The audio guide includes an introduction by the Director of Admission (please park and listen to the intro before driving), directions (the audio is timed with the drive, so stay between 15-20 mph), and information about what you see along the route as you drive through campus. There is a printed brochure of the driving tour map in the red kiosk in front of Admission.

The audio-driving tour guides you along a full loop of campus starting at the Admission Office (Hopson Cottage) and ending at Blithewood on the southwest end of main campus. Visitors may get out of their car, stretch their legs, and enjoy the view at Blithewood and can picnic there at a safe distance from others. A map of local restaurants with take-out options can be found here. 

NOTE: There is NO access to any campus buildings. You do not have to wear a mask outside, but all visitors must bring a mask with them in case they are invited to wear one while on campus.

Weekdays during business hours only:  Admission Counselors are available to speak with visitors and answer questions. Visitors may also use the bathroom facilities in the Admission Office foyer. Please ring the doorbell for access to the bathroom facilities or to be greeted by an Admission Counselor.